13 arrested in Ayutthaya restaurant raid over illegal gambling

Police raided a Chinese restaurant in Uthai district in Ayutthaya yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged nominee-owned business entities, arresting 13 people on various charges, including illegal gambling and immigration violations.

The search of the Hunan Chinese restaurant in Tambon Khan Ham yesterday followed another operation conducted the previous day, after investigators received tips indicating that the business might be using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders to bypass foreign ownership laws.

During the search, police seized company registration records, shareholder lists, stock purchase agreements, accounting logs, tax filing documents and financial transaction reports, which will be used in tracing the primary beneficiaries and operational managers of the business.

Inside the premises, police also discovered an illicit mahjong parlour in operation. Five Chinese nationals were arrested, including one host and four players. Officers confiscated a mahjong table, 84 plastic playing cards and 7,200 baht in cash.

Meanwhile, eight foreign nationals were arrested for violating labour and immigration laws. These included two individuals working beyond their permitted scope, four who failed to notify authorities of change in employer and two who were staying in the Kingdom without authorisation and working without a work permit.

Police have not yet concluded whether the restaurant is operating under a nominee shareholder structure.

Authorities stated that all seized documentation is currently being cross-examined with relevant state agencies, adding that legal action will follow if nominee arrangements or further offenses are confirmed.